The State government has reportedly proposed a fine of Rs 50,000 for filming any protected monuments or government-owned sites without obtaining necessary permissions and paying the required fees. It appears that the government is facing financial difficulties and lacks funds for the maintenance of all protected monuments and sites in Goa.
If the government truly values our historical sites, why does it permit some individuals, especially migrants, to unlawfully establish more 'gaddas' or stalls near such protected sites? Furthermore, why does it allow domestic tourists, including some anti-social elements, to host alcohol-related parties and litter these protected sites with broken glass bottles and garbage?
What about the bungalow that has been illegally constructed in the heart of the heritage precinct of Old Goa by a non-Goan? Why has the same structure been protected and not yet demolished, unlike all the houses, shops, beach-side shacks, and restaurants of our local Goans, which were demolished using bulldozers?
The government should address these aforementioned illegalities first, demolish the illegal structure in Old Goa immediately as a top priority if it is truly capable, impose hefty fines on those erecting illegal structures or littering historically protected sites with broken glass bottles and garbage, and then consider imposing fines on those simply filming these protected monuments/sites to replenish its own depleted coffers in Goa.
